Article of furniture



Dec.V 14 1926. l 1,610,823

J. J. SULLIVAN ARTICLE o1- FURNITURE Filed Nov. 14. 1925 ll ll ///////////////////////////////////////mmnr S14/vento Patented Bec. 14, 1926.

entre, sra'res JAMES ;i. sU'LLrvAN, or 'reminder-rio,

ARTICLE for Application filed November supporting surface composed of movable spring elements which may be extended into position of use to one side of the frame, or may be compacted together when not in use into a relatively small space; and toprovide an article `of furniture having the new and improved features of construction and arrangement hereinafter described. Y

The invention is shown by way of illus tration in the accompanying draivingaxin which:

Fig. 1' is a horizontal sectional view of a davenport embodying my invention showing` the extensible support in folded or compacted position; Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but showing` the parts extended in position of use; and Fig. 3 is a fragmentary elevation of a corner of the `davenport showing the manner lof stretching the spring elements into useful supporting position.

The illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises a davenport having a stationary main frame 1 which may be provided with the usual box cushion structure 2 to receive the seat cushions Q. The front of the frame is closed by a panel 3 and this panel may be suitably upholstered, stained or finished in any suitable or desired manner, as is usual with furniture of this type.

Formed on the opposite ends of the frame 1 are channeled guides l and 5 respectively, and the guide 5 is inclined outwardly toward one end of the frame. Slidable in the guides 4l and 5 are arms 6 andV 7 respectively, having rollers 8 engageable in the guides. The outer ends yof the arms G and 7 are connected 'to the inner side of the front panel 3 and the arm 6 is fixed to the panel 3.

The arm 7 is connected to a link 9 having a. pair of longitudinally elongatel slots 1() and 11, spaced from each other, and a guide pin 12 on the panel 3 projects into the slot 11. A handle 13 is pivoted to the panel 3 by a pin 14 extending through the slot 11, and the handle 13 is connected by a link 15 to the link 9. It will thus be seen that when the handle 13 is moved to the right, the arm 7 will also be moved to the right and movement of the handle 13 to the left will also iTFlCE..

FURNITURE.

1/1, 1925. serial nd. 68,937.

`move the arm 7 to the left to the position shown in full lines on Fig. 2.

It will readily be seen that when the arms 6 and 7 are moved linwardly in the frame 1 by 'means of the panel 3, the arm 6 will move in approximately a straight horizontal line', but the arm 7 will be inclined inivardly because of the inclination .of the guide track 5, f i

Slidably connected to the `arms 6 and 7 at the opposite ends are aseries of spring elements 15 and eachfelement comprises a pair 'of helical springs 16 `Which are connected together by means 'of a link orfwire 17. .The several spring elements are.. connected together by means of chains or links 18, or in any other suitable manner, and the V springelement adjacent the-front panel 3 is also connected thereto by means of links or chains.

Normally, the several spring elements 17 are positioned in compact relation in close juxtaposition to each other at the forward portion of the davenport, and for this pur pose the spring cushion structure 2a may be formed with a recess in which theV spring elements 17 may be'positioned when not in use, and by positioning these elements in the forward portion of the davenport frame, the cushioning action of the cushion structure 2a is not interfered with.

1When it is desired to increase the supporting surface of the davenport in order to convert the couch into a bed, the panel 3 may be grasped and pulled outwardly, and in doing this the several spring elements 15 will be separated relatively to each other owing to the interconnecting chains or links 18, .so as to assume the position indicated in Fig. 2.

When fully extended, the arm 7 will assume the position indicated by the dotted lines in' Fig. 2, in which position the severa-l spring elements 15 will be loose.

In order to make the spring elements 15 taut, the handle 13 is swung to the left, thereby forcing the arm 7 outwardly to bring the spring elements into useful supporting position. In order to return the panel 3 to its former position, the handle 13 is swung to the right in which position the spring elements will not be taut, although it is preferable that they maintain sufficient tautness so that but little or no sagging takes place. It is to be understood, however, that when in compacted position, a slight amount of sagging will take place.

l UD

In order to support the outer end of the extensible frame, any suitable means may be provided, as for example, a foldable leg; It may be desirable to provide additional reinforcing means for the arms 6 and 7, although it is not considered necessary to eX- plain in detail these changes which would be obvious to one skilled in this art.

`While I have shown and described my invention in connection With a davenport, it is to be understood that the above description is given merely by wayof illustration and not of limitation, because the features herein shown'and described, may be admirably adapted lfor other uses.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. An article of furniture comprising a stationary main frame, guides at opposite ends of said frame, arms having one end portion slidable in said guides, interconnected spring elements having their end portions slidable on said arms, and means for forcing one of said arms outwardly to stretch said elements to supporting position.

2. An article of furniture comprising a stationary main frame, guides on opposite sides of said frame, one of said guides being inclined outwardly from the back to the front of the frame, arms having their inner ends slidable in said guides, spring elements having their end portions slidable on said arms, means for interconnecting said spring elements to each other and to said panel, and means for drawing' said spring elements taut thereby to form al cushioned support-ing .surface.

3. An article of furniture comprising a stationary main frame, guides on opposite sides of said frame, one of said guides being inclined, arms having their end portions slidable in said guides and extensible outwardly from saidV frame, a front panel for said frame` means for securing one of said arms to said panel, and means for forcing the other arm laterally, spring elements having their ends slidable on said arms, and means interconnecting said spring elements and panel.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name to this specification.

JAMES JL SULLIVAN. 

